Ocean Treasure

Assateague
Island is a long, narrow strip of land that stretches for 37 miles and hugs
the eastern mid-Atlantic Coast. The barrier island is known for its unspoiled
pristine beach. Seashells and other remnants wash ashore, telling stories of
ocean life and island history.

Summer Breeze

The Assateague horses, on the Maryland side of the
island, frequent the beach during the hot summer months. Cool ocean breezes
provide relief from the heat and merciless biting insects.

Grooming

Mutual
grooming is a common form of communication among horse and pony band members.
It is a comforting and stress-reducing behavior that also creates and maintains
companionship and social ties. Horses and ponies often select regular grooming
partners, of either gender.

Gulls

The Assateague horses and Chincoteague ponies
share the island with shorebirds, waterfowl, sika deer, and other wildlife. They
live harmoniously in the protected island habitat, without the threat of
predators.

Chestnut Portrait

Assateague
horses and Chincoteague ponies are strong and hardy, relative to their size and
weight. They have thick, shaggy coats, which are a necessity for protection
from the chilly weather in winter and biting insects in summer. Their flowing
manes and tails are profuse and coarse.

Salt Meadow Hay

The Assateague horses and Chincoteague ponies
spend most of their waking hours grazing. They graze year-round in the bay
marshes, where salt meadow hay is a favorite food. The tall cordgrass blankets
high marsh areas. It is a beautiful green color in summer and resembles straw
in winter.

Bachelor Games

Young
stallions must eventually leave their birth bands. They form bachelor bands,
traveling and grazing together. Bachelor sparring is integral for the
development of strength and combat skills. Serious injuries are rare. A
stallion leaves his bachelor band when he is ready to form his own harem band. He
roams the island alone in search of potential mares.

Protection

An important role for the harem stallion is the
protection of his harem from marauders. Bachelor stallions are generally the
primary harem threat. This stallion stands on watch, high on a dune, while his
mare and foal nurse below the ridge.

Winter Morning

Rest is essential for replenishing and
conserving energy. The horses and ponies rest after walking and grazing and
before they set off for the next grazing spot.
They may doze standing up for short periods or lie down and fall into a
deep sleep for a longer time. Rest periods are shorter and grazing more frequent
during the winter months.

Grazing Lesson

Foals begin to graze as they grow and develop
curiosity about their surrounding environment.
While still nursing, they begin to imitate the behavior of
their mothers.

Mares on the Run

Harem stallions herd their mares and foals to
safety when there is potential danger. These
mares are being herded away from the threat of a nearby bachelor stallion.

Wild Mane

The harem stallion will charge and threaten a
bachelor stallion if he doesn't have time to herd his mares to safety. A
serious battle may ensue if the bachelor doesn't back off. Once the looting bachelor retreats, the harem
stallion races back to his mares.

Summer Frolic

Foals are very playful and engage their elders
in their games. On a warm summer’s evening, these Chincoteague foals frolic at
the north end of the Virginia side of Assateague.

Spring Roundup

There
are three annual roundups of the Chincoteague ponies. The ponies are gathered
by the Saltwater Cowboys for veterinary health checks, vaccinations, and hoof
trims. The Pony Swim and Foal Auction
are held annually, after the second roundup, on the last Wednesday in July.

The Pony Swim

Approximately 150 Chincoteague ponies and 50 to
60 foals swim from Assateague to Chincoteague during slack tide, when water
currents are weakest. The Saltwater Cowboys lead the ponies into Assateague
Channel for the quarter mile swim that lasts from seven to nine minutes. Guide
boats insure that the ponies swim across the channel at its safest point. Pregnant
mares, aging ponies, and mothers with foals under three months of age, are
transported to Chincoteague by trailer.